Ideas and resources for a great garden

If you want to embrace a healthier lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, organic gardening is the way to go. However, you will need to put forth an effort in order to make it grow. Perhaps you are hesitating about where to begin.

The quick and drastic change in the weather conditions can shock your plants and cause them to die. It’s important that you gradually change temperate conditions over time, so that your plants can adjust. Put them outdoors in the sun for no more than two hours the first day. Then over the next week, gradually increase the time they are in their new habitat. After one week, the plants should be fully acclimated and ready to move outside.

Start your seedlings in pots inside and then transplant them into your garden. This really increases the survival rate of young plants. In addition, you can shorten the intervals between your plantings. When you take out the prior set of adult plants, your seedlings will then be prepared to go in.

Baking Soda

There’s no need for chemical intervention if you discover powdery mildew on leaves. Mix a little liquid soap and baking soda in water. Spray this solution on plants once weekly until the mildew is gone. The baking soda is harmless to your plants and a very effective remedy.

Before you begin to plant your garden you will need to check the soil. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee. Using that report, you can amend your soil as needed for a thriving garden. Cooperative Extension departments often offer this testing service. It is a worthwhile effort so a garden can be productive on the first year of planting.

Plant a little catnip or wheatgrass in the area surrounding the plants that your cat is devouring. Offensive smells also work to repel cats and other pesky animals from eating your plants. Try putting mothballs, citrus peels, garlic and other pungent items on the topsoil.

Are you one of the millions who loves some fresh mint leaves, yet you absolutely hate the way they tend to take over any garden they are planted within? Instead of planting mint in your garden, keep it in a large container or pot to prevent it from spreading. You can bury the container so the top is flush with the ground if desired, but the container’s walls will prevent the roots from spreading so that the plant won’t take over your entire garden.

Always fertilize your garden. Use commercially composted products in your garden to help your plants grow. This will reduce the chance of pathogens. You can choose from many different fertilizers. Do not worry about the kind of fertilizer you end up using but definitely put down something.

Organic Garden

As you are aware now, there is homework to be done and energy to be expended in setting up a real organic garden. In addition, it’s true that you must be consistent if you want to see results. Incorporate the insights you’ve learned here to get your organic garden growing this year.